ROCKFORD — A man who volunteers in two dozen community and state groups, and an agency that supports other nonprofits were honored Thursday at the Register Star’s annual Excalibur and Excelsior awards.

Rudy Valdez received this year’s Excalibur for his level of volunteerism in educational, Latino and youth organizations; the Kiwanis Clubs of Freeport, Loves Park and Rockford took home the Excelsior for the positive effect the organization has on the area.

But both chose to recognize the entire volunteering community in the region, though.

Valdez said people can work to better the region on their own, but joining forces with others can truly bring forth change. He compared it to building a deck: multiple people working to construct it will reach the goal faster than working alone.

“When you work together to reach the same goal, you can do it a lot faster and a lot more efficient,” he said.

Kiwanis membership chairman Randall Larson thanked the 440-plus volunteers who help the organization serve children, saying the community is in this together. In the past 35 years, the agency has raised $4 million and completed 500 hours of community service.

“We at Kiwanis believe, if we work together, all working for the same purpose, we can magnify our product and do it in a much more expedient and efficient way and take on additional projects,” he said.

Thursday’s ceremony marked the 43rd anniversary of the Excalibur award, which bestows a crystal Steuben Eagle on the winner. The winner of the Excelsior award, which has been presented for the past 35 years, receives a plaque and a check for $500.

The Register Star also announced a new recognition — the regional winner of the Jefferson Awards — which is given to individuals who volunteer in the community. The award is often called the “Nobel Prize for public service.”

Valdez will represent the area in June at the national ceremony in Washington.

Travis Engebretson, director of consumer marketing for the Register Star, talked about the volunteer effors of the finalists, winners and other organizations that packed Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road.

“We are blessed to live in a community where the spirit of volunteerism and lending a hand to your neighbor is alive and well,” he said.

Attendees said they were grateful to see the Register Star highlight organizations and people who positively influence the community, which it can be a thankless job.

“In this world, we see not so nice things all around us, and sometimes you forget the good that people do...someday people are going to wake up and realize that there is goodness everywhere,” Freeport Mayor Jim Gitz said.

“These folks are doing the hardest jobs in the community. They’re not overpaid. They usually work without any recognition at all,” said Jim Jenkins, alumnus of the Phantom Regiment, which was the 1984 Excelsior recipient.

“And I think an event like this is just one time of year where people can say ‘Hey, thank you’.”